What is the difference between 22K and 24K gold?

24K gold is 99.9% pure gold but very soft and impractical for jewellery. 22K gold is 91.6% pure with the rest being alloy metals like copper and silver, making it strong enough for daily wear while retaining a rich gold color.

Is 22K gold good for daily wear?

Yes. 22K gold is the standard for Indian jewellery because it strikes the right balance between purity and durability. It can withstand daily use without bending or scratching easily.

Which karat gold is best for investment?

24K gold is best for pure investment since it has the highest gold content (99.9%). Buy it in the form of coins, bars, or biscuits where making charges are minimal.

How do I calculate the purity of gold?

Divide the karat number by 24. For example, 22K gold is 22/24 = 91.6% pure. To find pure gold weight in a piece, multiply its total weight by this percentage.

What does 916 mean on gold jewellery?

916 is the fineness mark for 22K gold, meaning it contains 916 parts per 1000 of pure gold (91.6%). This stamp is part of the mandatory BIS hallmarking in India.

Why is 24K gold not used for jewellery?

24K gold is too soft and malleable for jewellery. It bends easily, cannot hold intricate designs, and stones set in it fall out quickly. It is only suitable for coins and investment bars.

Is 18K gold worth buying in India?

18K gold (75% pure) is ideal for diamond and gemstone settings because the harder alloy grips stones securely. It is popular for modern, Western-style designs but offers lower resale value than 22K.

Essential Knowledge

Gold Purity & Karats

When someone says "22 karat gold", what does that actually mean? This guide breaks it down in the simplest way possible.

What is a Karat?

A karat (abbreviated "K" or "Kt") is a unit that measures the purity of gold. Think of it like a fraction out of 24:

24 parts total → X parts are pure gold

So 22K means 22 out of 24 parts are pure gold. The remaining 2 parts are other metals (copper, silver, zinc).

Purity Comparison

Karat	Purity %	Fineness	Best For	Durability
24K	99.9%	999	Investment, coins, bars	Soft — scratches easily
22K	91.6%	916	Traditional Indian jewellery	Good — daily wear suitable
18K	75.0%	750	Diamond settings, modern designs	Very durable — harder alloy
14K	58.3%	585	Everyday rings, Western-style	Most durable — very hard

Visual Purity Scale

24K

99.9%

Pure Gold

22K

91.6%

Indian Standard

18K

75%

International

14K

58.3%

Western

Why India Prefers 22K

24K (Too Soft)

Bends and scratches with normal wear
Cannot hold intricate designs
Best only for coins and bars
Stones fall out — too malleable

22K (The Sweet Spot)

Strong enough for daily wear
Holds detailed Indian designs (meenakari, temple)
Rich, warm yellow color
High resale value (close to pure gold)

Quick Purity Math

If you want to know how much pure gold is in your jewellery:

Pure Gold = Weight × (Karat ÷ 24)

Example: A 10g necklace in 22K

= 10g × (22 ÷ 24) = 10g × 0.916 = 9.16g pure gold

Which Karat Should You Choose?

For Investment

24K

Maximum gold content. Buy coins, bars, or biscuits.

For Indian Jewellery

22K

The standard. Rich color, good strength, high resale.

For Diamond Settings

18K

Harder alloy grips stones securely. Modern aesthetic.

Next: Gold Colors & Types →